The race for the fifth spot in the starting rotation just lost another contestant.

The Indians told Daisuke Matsuzaka that he would not make the opening day roster on April 2 in Toronto. GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona told Matsuzaka that they'd like to keep him in the organization and he's agreed to start the season in the minors.

"I have told the Indians that my intentions are to stay in the organization," said Matsuzaka, 32, through interpreter Jeff Cutler.

Scott Kazmir, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer are still competing for the last spot in the rotation.

Antonetti and Francona delivered the same message to veteran closer Matt Capps. Matsuzaka and Capps were on minor-league deals. Capps was recovering from a sore right shoulder that bothered him last season and has yet to regain his former velocity.

Capps told the Indians he needs time to consider his next move. "We expect to have a resolution in the near future," said Antonetti.

In other moves, the Indians told catchers Omir Santos and Brian Jeroloman, infielder Luis Hernandez and outfielder Matt Carson that they would not be on the 25-man roster, but they will stay in big-league camp for the time being. Shortstop Juan Diaz, outfielder Cedric Hunter and relievers Matt Langwell and Preston Guilmet were sent to the minors. Diaz was optioned to Class AAA Columbus, while the others were re-assigned to minor-league camp.